The 7 Best Gaming Headsets - Spring 2023 Reviews

The best headset for gaming we've tested is the Audeze Maxwell Wireless. These sturdy, feature-packed wireless headphones come in Xbox and PlayStation variants that are also compatible with PCs. They stand out from many other gaming headsets because they use planar magnetic drivers, which helps them produce a more extended bass response and create a wider passive soundstage relative to dynamic driver headphones like the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro. Their default sound profile is neutral, so elements like footsteps and explosions as well as voices in cutscenes are reproduced accurately.

Although they don't have an in-app EQ, which is a bit unusual for gaming headphones, they offer a few EQ presets for sound customization. They also support Dolby Atmos, a virtual surround sound feature meant to make your listening experience more immersive. They come with a USB dongle that provides a low-latency connection, so your audio and video will stay in sync when you're gaming. You have plenty of options for connecting to your console or PC.

The Audeze also support multi-device pairing, so you can hear audio from your phone via Bluetooth and from your console simultaneously, as long as you're using an analog or wired USB connection. For online gamers, the detachable boom mic offers a great performance. It makes your voice sound clear and understandable and the mic has outstanding noise handling, so it won't be drowned out even if you're playing in a noisy area. However, currently, these headphones are back-ordered, so it can take a while to get your hands on a pair. 

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro is the best gaming headset in the upper mid-range that we've tested. These headphones are the wired variant of the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless for Xbox, and they lack a few of that headset's features, like ANC. However, they come with a USB dock that provides a low latency wired connection and gives easy access to controls like channel mixing and EQ settings. They're well-built, comfortable for most people, and have a boom mic that makes your voice sound clear and natural, even with some noise in the background.

Out of the box, they have a well-balanced sound profile with a bit of extra boom, which can help bring out sound effects in games. The treble response is somewhat uneven, and some sounds can be harsh or piercing. Like the previous pick, they have companion software that includes a parametric EQ and presets, so you can adjust the sound to suit you. The dock is console-locked, so you need to be sure to get the right variant, but you can use either variant with most consoles via analog connection.

If you prefer wireless headphones, the Astro A30 Wireless are another solid upper mid-range option. They provide low latency for gaming and also support Bluetooth, meaning you can connect to your phone. They last for around 40 hours of continuous use but aren't as comfortable for most and don't have virtual surround sound features.

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Wireless are the best headphones for gaming in the mid-range we've tested. These headphones come at a lower price than the Audeze Maxwell Wireless and have a worse mic performance, which might be a downside if you play a lot of multiplayer games. However, the mic still does a very good job of recording your voice. These headphones also support Bluetooth, which allows you to mix chat audio or music from your phone and game audio.

Their wireless USB dongle doesn't have any controls but provides low enough latency for gaming, so your audio and video won't be out of sync. Similar to the previous picks, they have a bass-rich sound profile with a well-balanced mid-range, so voices are present and clear but can also sound veiled and lack detail. Fortunately, the app features a graphic EQ and presets for sound customization. They last for around 30 hours off of a single charge, and you can also use them wired in a pinch.

Keep in mind that they come in a few variants for different consoles. We tested the 7X variant, which is meant for Xbox but can also connect with PlayStation using the USB dongle, although any changes you made in the app like sound customizations won't apply. The 7 and 7P variants don't support a wireless connection with Xbox but might be the better choice if you only use PC or PlayStation.

The HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless are the best lower mid-range gaming headphones we've tested. These headphones aren't compatible with Xbox (and don't have any variants that are), but if you're a PlayStation or PC gamer, they usually come at a lower price point and offer a more comfortable fit for most people. Their 300-plus-hour continuous battery life is extremely long, which you might appreciate if you forget to plug your headphones in to charge. Their boom mic is detachable and has a very good performance, so your voice is recorded clearly even in moderately noisy environments.

They connect wirelessly to PCs and PlayStations with a USB dongle and have low latency, so you won't notice audio lag when you're playing. Their default sound profile is slightly v-shaped, so your audio has extra rumble, punch, and boom, and elements like voices sound clear and detailed. They also work with companion software that includes an EQ and presets for sound customization. Unfortunately, some users have reported that applying changes with the Ngenuity software creates very high latency. Otherwise, if you're looking for the best PC gaming headset, it's a great option.

If you're looking for a budget-friendly headset for gaming, check out the Logitech G535 LIGHTSPEED Wireless. These inexpensive headphones are missing some of the previous picks' helpful features, like Bluetooth and an AUX port, so you can use them wired. They don't work with Xbox, but if you're a PlayStation gamer or you're looking for the best PC gaming headset in the budget range, they come with a wireless dongle that provides a low latency connection for gaming.

Unlike other headphones listed here, including the HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless, their default sound lacks low-bass, so your audio is missing some thump and rumble. There's some overemphasis in the high-bass range that adds some warmth and punch, which can help bring out sound effects like footsteps in games. They work with companion software that includes a graphic EQ and presets and also have virtual surround sound features that can help create a more immersive listening experience. However, if you use the mic a lot when gaming, keep in mind that it doesn't have the best performance, so it makes your voice sound thin compared to the pricier headphones here.

The best cheap gaming headset we've tested is the Logitech G432. Unlike our budget pick, which is wireless, wired headphones usually occupy most of the cheap price points. However, if you're looking for the lowest price, these wired headphones offer a solid performance that can rival more expensive wireless models. A reputable brand like Logitech can also be a safe bet if you care about quality and durability, as cheaper models on the market can have glaring flaws like driver mismatches and faulty frames. These headphones have a good mic performance, so your voice is easily understood when you're gaming with friends. Their lightweight, comfortable fit is suitable for long gaming sessions as well.

Their sound profile is light on bass, which isn't ideal for action-packed games, but you can customize it with a graphic EQ and presets in the companion app. Their wired USΒ dongle provides a low latency connection and works with PlayStation consoles, but it's not compatible with Xbox. You can still use the headphones with these consoles if you plug them into a controller, but it'll mean you can't use the features, like the EQ, in the companion app.

The best open-back gaming headset we've tested is the Drop + Sennheiser PC38X. These wired headphones are around the same price as the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7X Wireless, but you might prefer them if you like your game audio to be as immersive as possible. Their open design helps them create a soundstage that seems wider and more spacious than the closed-back options on this list. While they lack a bit of low-bass, they have a well-balanced sound profile suitable for action-packed games or dialogue-heavy cutscenes. However, they aren't ideal for use in a noisy or shared space since they don't block out ambient sound and leak a lot of audio.

They're well-built, have a comfortable fit, and come with a choice of microfiber or velour ear cup padding. They also have a boom mic that makes your voice sound natural and full-bodied during multiplayer games. Because of their wired design, they work with most consoles, and you don't need to worry about latency. That said, unlike headphones like the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro, they don't have a dock that gives you access to controls like sidetone. Their onboard controls are limited, but you can flip up the mic to mute it and adjust the volume with a wheel on one ear cup.